Stakes is High (30th Anniversary) 4LP

De La Soul’s Stakes Is High captures the group at a crucial turning point: older, sharper, and completely locked in. Released in 1996, the album marked their fourth full-length and their first without Prince Paul, opening the door to a tougher, more stripped-back sound led in part by a young J Dilla on the title track. That lead single became one of De La’s signature statements, peaking at No. 53 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, while the album reached No. 4 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. But numbers only tell part of the story — Stakes Is High remains such a vital listen because it hears De La Soul confronting the mid-’90s head-on, with wit, frustration, and a deep sense of artistic confidence. From “The Bizness” to “Itzsoweezee (HOT),” the album balances soulful production and clear-eyed commentary in a way that still feels fresh decades later. It’s one of those records that may not have shouted the loudest on arrival, but its influence and reputation have only grown with time. In celebration of the 30th anniversary, this 4LP box set includes the original album, Instrumentals, and bonus material on spoke effect black and white vinyl in a book box with a UV print of Dave on the vinyl.

TRACKLIST:

a side

A1. INTRO

A2. SUPA EMCEES

A3. THE BIZNESS (FEAT. COMMON)

A4. YUNONSTOP

A5. WONCE AGAIN LONG ISLAND

a-notha side

B1. DINNINIT

B2. BRAKES

B3. DOG EAT DOG

B4. BABY, BABY, BABY, BABY, OOH BABY (FEAT. JAZZYFATNASTEES)

B5. LONG ISLAND DEGREES

yet a-notha side

C1. BETTA LISTEN

C2. ITZSOWEEZEE (HOT)

C3. 4 MORE (FEAT. ZHANE)

C4. BIG BROTHER BEAT (FEAT. MOS DEF)

one more side

D1. DOWN SYNDROME

D2. PONY RIDE (FEAT. TRUTH ENOLA)

D3. STAKES IS HIGH

D4. SUNSHINE

plug won side

E1. INTRO (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT)

E2. SUPA EMCEES (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT)

E3. THE BIZNESS (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT)

E4. YUNONSTOP (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT)

E5. WONCE AGAIN LONG ISLAND (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT)

E6. DINNINIT (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT)

E7. BRAKES (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT)

E8. DOG EAT DOG (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT)

E9. BABY, BABY, BABY, BABY, OOH BABY (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT)

plug too side

F1. LONG ISLAND DEGREES (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT)

F2. BETTA LISTEN (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT)

F3. ITZSOWEEZEE (HOT) [INSTRUMENTAL EDIT]

F4. 4 MORE (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT)

F5. BIG BROTHER BEAT (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT)

F6. DOWN SYNDROME (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT)

F7. PONY RIDE (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT)

F8. STAKES IS HIGH (INSTRUMENTAL)

F9. SUNSHINE (INSTRUMENTAL EDIT)

plug iii side

G1. CHANEL NO. FEVER

G2. I CAN’T CALL IT

G3. ITZSOWEEZEE (HOT)

[DE LA SOUL REMIX] {FEAT. YANKEE B.}

G4. STAKES IS HIGH (J DILLA REMIX)

[FEAT. MOS DEF AND TRUTH ENOLA]

G5. STAKES IS HIGH (J DILLA ALTERNATE REMIX)

dave’s side